Clamping device for stretching-frames.



G. E. GLANGY.

GLAMPING DEVICE FOR STRETOHING FRAMES.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 11, 1911.

1,085,320. Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (0.. WASHINGTON, u. E.

CHARLES E. CLANCY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR STRETCI-IING-FRAMES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 191-1.

Application filed September 11, 1911. Serial No. 648,795.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES E. OLANCY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Clamping Device for Stretching- Frames. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a clamping device for stretching frames and is particularly designed to be used on frames for stretching and holding cloth for window shades preparatory to the operation of sizing the cloth and finishing the cloth for window shades. The frames in common use for this purpose are of great length and it has been the common practice to glue the upper and lower edges of the cloth to the upper and lower members. respectively, of the frame. In following this practice it is necessary to exercise great care in gluing the clot-h to the frame to prevent buckling of the cloth due to placing the same unevenly on the frames and the unequal application of the glue along the edges of the cloth. The practice of gluing the cloth to the frame also entails a loss as it is necessary to glue as much as one or two inches of the cloth along both the upper and lower edge of the cloth to the frame, which portion of the cloth is rendered unfit for further use.

One of the main objects of my present in vention is to provide a clamping device of the character described which is adapted to grasp the edge of the cloth firmly and evenly throughout the length of the cloth.

Another object of my present invention is to produce a device of the character described of simple construction which may be easily operated to quickly engage the cloth and hold the same.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter from the following specification.

Referring to the drawings. which are for illustrative purposes only, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a stretching frame, showing an embodiment of a form of my clamping device thereon. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on line to c Fig. 1 showing the clamping device in open position. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the clamping device in closed position. Fig. 4 is a face view of one of the clamping devices.

The frame consists of an upper bar 1 and lower bar 2 joined together at portions intermediate their length by means of bars 3 pivotally mounted at 1 on the upper bar 1 which engage bars 5 pivotally mounted at (i on the bar 2. The bars 3 are each provided with a stud or pin 7 adapted to engage notches or recesses 8 formed in one edge of the bars 5, so that distance between the upper and lower bars 1 and 2 respectively may be regulated to accommodate the width of the cloth to be placed on the frame.

The means for holding the cloth in the frame are attached to the upper bar 1 and lower bar 2. respectively, and consist of a base plate 10 preferably formed of sheet metal and secured to the respective bars 1 and 2 by means of nails or screws 11. The inner edge of each base plate 10 is bent upwardly and outwardly to form a hook shaped channel 12 adapted to receive the inner edge of a clamping plate 13. To the clamping plate at any desired points throughout its length is secured the operating means for the clamping plate which consist of a hinge 11 mounted on the respective bar 1 or 2 in such a manner that the hinge operates as a toggle. The operating means or hinge 14 consists of a member or leaf 15 riveted or secured to the clamping plate 13 in any suitable manner.

Pivotally mounted on a pin 16, supported in on edge of the leaf 15, are two members or leaves 17 which are pivotally supported at their opposite end on a pin 18 supported above the bar of the frame on a standard 19 which is secured to the bar in any suitable manner.

It is understood that the form of hinge may be varied by using a plurality of leaves attached to the clamping bar and a single leaf mounted on the standard without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The device operates as follows: One edge of the cloth 20 is placed over the channel 12 in the base plate 10, and the inner edge of the clamping plate 13 brought into contact with the cloth, as indicated in Fig. 2. The hinge 1 1 is then pressed toward the bar upon which the hinge is mounted until the pivot 16 of the hinge passes the central line of the toggle which is a line drawn through the point of engagement of the inner edge of the clamping plate with the base plate and the pivot 18 on the standard 19. As the distance between the two points just referred to is slightly less than the width of the hinge and the clamping plate secured thereto, it is necessary to exert pressure to spring the hinge into the position shown in Fig. 3, which causes the edge of the cloth to be securely clamped in the channel 12 by the edge of the clamp-i11 plate, as indicated in Fig. 2. The action of the clamping plate just described also draws the cloth over the edge of the channel thereby stretching the cloth evenly on the frame. The clamping plate 13 is preferably formed with an ofl'set, as indicated at 22, so that the portion 23 of the clamping plate rests against the face of the base plate forming a longer contact therewith.

It is understood that my invent-ion may be applied to various styles of frames for stretching fabric of various natures without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In the common method of using glue to hold the cloth on the frame, the size used on the cloth before the coloring material is placed thereon is app-lied while hot, and frequently runs down onto the glued lower edge of the cloth, softening the glue, which loosens the cloth from the frame. Another objection to the use of glue is that it is necessary for the glue to set before the cloth may be treated, both of which objections are overcome by my invention as above set forth.

IVhat I claim is A clamping device, comprising a supaorting bar, a plate mounted on said supporting bar having a channel therein, a

CHARLES E. OLANOY.

In presence of FRANK L. A. GRAHAM, P. H. SHELTON.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

